Our Advice to Cheyenne Bryant: Stop Defending. Start Rebuilding Trust

Season 2 opens with a difficult but necessary conversation about credentials, transparency, accountability, and compassion.Alicia Watkins, PhD, Tiana Von Johnson, and guest co-host Donette Greene, PhD weigh in on the public questions surrounding Cheyenne Bryant’s doctorate in psychology and the defensiveness many people heard in her response. We explore why professional credentials matter, especially when someone is providing mental-health-related guidance to vulnerable communities.We also ask a deeper question: How do we hold a Black woman accountable without tearing her apart?In this episode, we share what we would say to Cheyenne directly—with honesty, compassion, and respect—and discuss how Black women can support one another without demanding silence, blind loyalty, or protection from every legitimate question.Accountability does not have to become cruelty. Support does not require us to abandon discernment. Sometimes the most loving response is an invitation to become clearer, more transparent, and more grounded.Listen, reflect, and join us at the real table.Follow @realtabletalkpod on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes and clips.